Island Morning
with Mitch & Matt

Our political panel discusses Senator Mike Duffy's appearance on Compass to say he's paying back the thousands of dollars in living expenses he's been claiming for his home in Ottawa. They also discuss the recent MLA raises and employment insurance. We're joined in the studio by Publisher Paul MacNeill, Charlottetown Lawyer Mary Lynn Kane, and Lawyer Nancy Key via Skype from Summerside.

Steve Connolly from Charlotteown has written a book about his experience recovering from a heart attack five years ago. Steve also wanted to say thank you to all those people who helped him along the way. His book his called, "They Touched My Heart". Steve has worked as a teacher, guidance counsellor, and has for many years operated Connolly Financial Group with his son Shayne... he's now an author.

When limited Sunday shopping came to PEI it was a polarizing debate. Some people liked it...some people, not so much. Now, the Retail Council of Canada would like to see extended store hours on Sundays. The Atlantic Canada director, Jim Cormier, is meeting with minister Janice Sherry today to talk about more Sunday shopping. Right now, shops on PEI can only open their doors at 12 PM. Jim Cormier spoke with Island Morning.

If you're just picking out your wardrobe for the day make sure you find something pink. It's Pink Shirt Day: a day to draw attention and show support to anti-bullying programs. There are plenty of events scheduled for today, including a full plate of events at Three Oaks in Summerside. Nicole Haire, principal of Three Oaks, joined us on the phone. Here a link to their.... Youtube video.

People seeking work will be filing into the Culinary Institute in Charlottetown to check out tourism employment opportunities. The Tourism Industry Association of PEI is hosting the Tourism Job Fair. It's an opportunity for people to drop off their resumes to different businesses at one location. Don Cudmore is executive director of the Tourism Industry Association.

A Miss World Canada contestant is supposed to be "an international symbol of Canadian beauty and charity." (That's the organizations description) But those words might easily describe a young Island woman who's competing for the 2013 title. Janelle MacMillan is a 23-year-old from Charlottetown. She's currently studying international relations at St. Thomas University and is representing the Maritimes in the pageant.

After serving twice as a military medic in Afghanstan, CPL Nanette Black is back home in Canada and she's written a song to thank her family and friends for helping her to get through some rough times. Island Morning caught up with Cpl Nanette Black in Camp Petawawa and heard some of her song. Here a link to her Youtube video.

Many people in the Maritimes head out west to find jobs. But this weekend, the west came to PEI to recruit some new police officers. The Calgary Police Force held an information session at PEI's Atlantic Police Academy, for people from across the Maritimes. Patrick Faller went to the event. First, Patrick spoke with Inspector Phil Strachan who teaches at the Altantic Police Academy.

You never know how important it is to donate blood until you need it yourself. Pam Smith from Johnstons River needs hundreds of units to manage her rare blood disorder called TTP and now she'd like to try to replace that. Thursday is rare blood disease day -- and she's encouraging people to donate. Pam Smith joined Mitch in the studio.

Summerside's George Matthews celebrated an anniversary last weekend. He put on his headset and called his one thousandth NHL hockey game... all of them as the voice of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Many Islanders will remember George's work here on the Island with the Summerside Capitals, Charlottetown Abbies or the short lived P.E.I. Senators. Others will remember him as Mr. Matthews, the teacher at Summerside Intermediate who indulged his unique talent of being an elite play by play announcer at night. It was Doug McLean who gave George his big break, it was his unique talent and knowledge of the game that's kept him in the broadcast booth for 12 seasons. Island morning caught up with him yesterday.